--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The spirit must be freed from tethers so…" description: "\"The spirit must be freed from tethers so strong and feelings never put to rest, so that the lift of life may give buoyancy to the soul. In many familie..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/887/thomas-s-monson-409_17th-century_the-spirit-must-be-freed-from-tethers-so_1513849.jpg" --- # The spirit must be freed from tethers so strong and… ![“The spirit must be freed from tethers so strong and feelings never put to rest, so that the lift of life may give buoyancy to the soul. In many families, there are hurt feelings and a reluctance to forgive. It doesn’t really matter what the issue was. It cannot and should not be left to injure…” quote by Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/887/thomas-s-monson-409_17th-century_the-spirit-must-be-freed-from-tethers-so_1513849.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/887/thomas-s-monson-409_17th-century_the-spirit-must-be-freed-from-tethers-so_1513849.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/887/thomas-s-monson-409_17th-century_the-spirit-must-be-freed-from-tethers-so_1513849.jpg) > “The spirit must be freed from tethers so strong and feelings never put to rest, so that the lift of life may give buoyancy to the soul. In many families, there are hurt feelings and a reluctance to forgive. It doesn’t really matter what the issue was. It cannot and should not be left to injure. Blame keeps wounds open. Only forgiveness heals. George Herbert, an early 17th-century poet, wrote these lines: ‘He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven, for everyone has need of forgiveness.’” [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Holding onto resentment harms the holder; forgiveness frees the soul and restores inner peace. **In simple terms:** Forgiveness releases emotional weight. Key Takeaway Let go of grudges. Themes forgiveness emotional health spiritual growth Mood reflective hopeful Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - family conflict - personal trauma - relationship repair - self‑healing Key Concepts psychology spirituality interpersonal dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What grievance are you clinging to? - How might forgiveness change your inner state? A Different Perspective Forgiveness can be difficult when pain is deep. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bridges/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Forgive Others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive-others/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Hurt feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurt-feelings/) [Issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issues/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Poet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Reluctance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reluctance/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Wounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wounds/) ## Related quotes > [“Forgiveness should go hand in hand with love. In our families, as well as with our friends, there can be hurt feelings and disagreements.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/forgiveness-should-go-hand-in-hand-with-love-in-our-families-as-well/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Blame keeps wounds open; only forgiveness heals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/blame-keeps-wounds-open-only-forgiveness-heals/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/he-who-cannot-forgive-breaks-the-bridge-over-which-he-himself-must/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/he-that-cannot-forgive-others-breaks-the-bridge-over-which-he-himself/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [If this world could only grasp the power of forgiveness. Being able to forgive someone breaks the cycle of bitterness and vengeance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-augustus-st-john/if-this-world-could-only-grasp-the-power-of-forgiveness-being-able-to/) James Augustus St. John > [He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven. --Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/he-that-cannot-forgive-others-breaks-the-bridge-over-which-he-must-2/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/he-that-cannot-forgive-others-breaks-the-bridge-over-which-he-must/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [The only way to heal the pain which will not heal itself is to forgive the person who hurt you. Forgiveness heals the memory's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/the-only-way-to-heal-the-pain-which-will-not-heal-itself-is-to/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [Forgiveness changes the way we remember. It converts the curse into a blessing. Forgiveness indeed heals memories . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/forgiveness-changes-the-way-we-remember-it-converts-the-curse-into-a/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Forgiveness indeed heals memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/forgiveness-indeed-heals-memories/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [“Revenge generates violence that deepens our wounds, but forgiveness heals them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingrid-holm-garibay/revenge-generates-violence-that-deepens-our-wounds-but-forgiveness/) [Ingrid Holm-Garibay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingrid-holm-garibay/) > [Forgiveness is all-powerful. Forgiveness heals all ills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-ponder/forgiveness-is-all-powerful-forgiveness-heals-all-ills/) [Catherine Ponder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-ponder/) > [Receiving the Holy Ghost is the therapy which effects forgiveness and heals the sin-sick soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-g-romney/receiving-the-holy-ghost-is-the-therapy-which-effects-forgiveness-and/) [Marion G. Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-g-romney/) > [“when you forgive someone, it doesn’t diminish or erase what was done to you. You don’t have to understand why they did it, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/when-you-forgive-someone-it-doesn-t-diminish-or-erase-what-was-done/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“Forgiveness in no way requires you to trust the one you forgive. It doesn't mean the relationship must be restored. p. 61”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberta-fish/forgiveness-in-no-way-requires-you-to-trust-the-one-you-forgive-it/) Roberta Fish ## More by Thomas S. Monson > [I know that God loves us. He allows us to exercise our moral agency even when we misuse it. He permits us to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-know-that-god-loves-us-he-allows-us-to-exercise-our-moral-agency/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Some find it difficult to withstand the mocking and unsavory remarks of foolish ones who ridicule chastity, honesty, and obedience to God’s commands. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/some-find-it-difficult-to-withstand-the-mocking-and-unsavory-remarks/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Choose your love, Love your choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/choose-your-love-love-your-choice/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I ask you to make INSTITUTE a PRIORITY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-ask-you-to-make-institute-a-priority/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Those who grieve frequently find themselves alone. Missed is the laughter of children, the commotion of teenagers, and the tender, loving concern of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/those-who-grieve-frequently-find-themselves-alone-missed-is-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I hope with all my heart and soul that every young man who receives the priesthood will honor that priesthood and be true to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-hope-with-all-my-heart-and-soul-that-every-young-man-who-receives/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Forgiveness should go hand in hand with love. In our families, as well as with our friends, there can be hurt feelings and disagreements.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/forgiveness-should-go-hand-in-hand-with-love-in-our-families-as-well/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/born-in-a-stable-cradled-in-a-manger-he-came-forth-from-heaven-to/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“A happy home is but and earlier Heaven.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/a-happy-home-is-but-and-earlier-heaven/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends forth to you an earnest appeal. Open your doors to the missionaries. Open your minds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-sends-forth-to-you-an/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [This is my philosophy on all life, not just when it comes to love. All the best things are terrifying, but that's why they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/this-is-my-philosophy-on-all-life-not-just-when-it-comes-to-love-all/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness... We are the Lord’s hands here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-are-surrounded-by-those-in-need-of-our-attention-our-encouragement/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [You have a heritage honor it. You have posses a testimony share it. You will face temptations withstand it. You know the truth live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/you-have-a-heritage-honor-it-you-have-posses-a-testimony-share-it-you/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-learn-and-grow-and-become-stronger-as-we-face-and-survive-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I am certain that the Lord, who notes the fall of a sparrow, looks with compassion upon those who have been called upon to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-am-certain-that-the-lord-who-notes-the-fall-of-a-sparrow-looks-with/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) [Explore all 586 Thomas S. Monson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## More 17th century quotes > [Recently I was reading somewhere or other an Italian curio-dealer who attempted to sell a 17th century crucifix to J.P. Morgan. Inside it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/recently-i-was-reading-somewhere-or-other-an-italian-curio-dealer-who/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [With Brexit, and I think the extraordinary strain it's put on our constitution and our representative democracy, I do sometimes feel like I'm in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-morgan/with-brexit-and-i-think-the-extraordinary-strain-it-s-put-on-our/) [Nicky Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-morgan/) > [Perhaps people need to understand some history here. Rene Descartes, in the late 16th, early 17th century, postulated that body, mind, physicality and spirituality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/perhaps-people-need-to-understand-some-history-here-rene-descartes-in/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [“It combined corrupt simplicity with delicate ferocity, a curious variety of civilization; a tiger with a simper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/it-combined-corrupt-simplicity-with-delicate-ferocity-a-curious/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [I'm from Holland and the history of "Admiral" is something you would read about when you're at school. Nobody knows about these stories and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roel-reine/i-m-from-holland-and-the-history-of-admiral-is-something-you-would/) Roel Reine > [Yes, I would agree that America, just like Spain was in the 17th Century, is the main empire of the world and they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/yes-i-would-agree-that-america-just-like-spain-was-in-the-17th/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [I would love to do a period piece - in the 18th or 17th century. To me, it would be such an incredible challenge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-smart/i-would-love-to-do-a-period-piece-in-the-18th-or-17th-century-to-me/) [Amy Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-smart/) > [I'd share a pic if the digital camera battery wasn't as flat as 17th century Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-haynes/i-d-share-a-pic-if-the-digital-camera-battery-wasn-t-as-flat-as-17th/) [Simon Haynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-haynes/) > [You cannot gauge the intelligence of an American by talking with him; you must work with him. The American polishes and refines his way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/you-cannot-gauge-the-intelligence-of-an-american-by-talking-with-him/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Technologically I live in the 17th century. I have a very simple cell phone. I say I live through the kindness of strangers, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/technologically-i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-have-a-very-simple-cell/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [Each of us have things and thoughts and descriptions of an amazing universe in our possession that kings in the 17th Century would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kary-mullis/each-of-us-have-things-and-thoughts-and-descriptions-of-an-amazing/) [Kary Mullis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kary-mullis/) > [Order can arise from chaos without anyone or anything directing the process when unstable combinations of atoms perish and others persist. In the 17th…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-wilson/order-can-arise-from-chaos-without-anyone-or-anything-directing-the/) [Catherine Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-wilson/) > [The data, however, do indicate that Christians who see Jews through a 17th-century lens, believing that most are thoroughly religious, are thoroughly wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-olasky/the-data-however-do-indicate-that-christians-who-see-jews-through-a/) [Marvin Olasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-olasky/) > [The technologies for the alternative energy sources exists today. The economics are compelling. The public health is compelling. Why would we maintain a focus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-f-kennedy-jr/the-technologies-for-the-alternative-energy-sources-exists-today-the/) [Robert F. Kennedy, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-f-kennedy-jr/) > [Religion is a practical discipline and in the 17th century in the West, we turned it onto a head trip. But it's like dancing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/religion-is-a-practical-discipline-and-in-the-17th-century-in-the/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) Browse all 43 17th century quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The spirit must be freed from tethers so strong and feelings never put to rest, so that the lift of life may give buoyancy to the soul. In many families, there are hurt feelings and a reluctance to forgive. It doesn’t really matter what the issue was. It cannot and should not be left to injure. Blame keeps wounds open. Only forgiveness heals. 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